Curriculum - 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga Asana, Pranayama and Meditation practice - 75 Hours

Daily Yoga asana, pranayama and meditation Practice. This is done in a group class setting, with the lead trainer in a dedicated TT room of the Yoga studio. Basically, the trainees are practicing different types of classes (Ashtanga Vinyasa, Hatha flow, Yin Yoga, etc.) that they are learning to teach, and they are encouraged to discuss and compare their thoughts, feelings and experiences, as well as get into Q&A daily, after the class practice. Occasionally, a short "journaling" maybe added as homework. Yoga class: The classes are 60-90 minutes and incorporate different sequence, pacing and approach to Hatha or Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga as the Teacher Training. The class usually begins with sun salutations warm ups, balancing series (standing postures) and floor exercises, including an extended final savasana. Pranayama: Yoga class incorporates pranic- and breath-development, as part of the asana practice. Pranayama is the practice of breath control. By practicing pranayama regularly Pranayama kosher becomes purified. Students will learn Yogic breathing, Nadi Shodhana, Sheetali, Brahmari (humming bee breath), Ujiayi (the physic breath), Bhastrika (bellows breath), Surya Bheda (vitality stimulating breath). Teachers will show some types of Shatkarmas like Jala Neti, Nauli, Kapalbhati, Trataka. The Aim of shtkarmas is to create harmony between two major panic flows, ida and pinball and they are also used to balance three dosas - kappa, pitta, vata.

Learning Objective

Proficiency in the practice of Yoga, personal transformation, Yogic experience and Yogic development.

Introduction to Yoga Anatomy and Physiology - 10 hours

Introduction to yoga anatomy and physiology and how to connect those to the practice and teaching of Hatha Yoga. We are looking for a functional understanding that can be immediately applied to a beneficial practice, breaking through blockages and avoiding injuries. Fundamentals: skeleton, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons, and movement. More detailed breakdown of the pelvis and thighs, trunk, shoulders and upper arms, legs and feet, forearms and hands. Myofascial and organ planes, the breath connection. Looking at form and function of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles in relation the specific asanas practiced and sequenced in the TT. How practice and teaching Yoga requires us to explore the individual bodies. Biomechanics and physiology of stretching; muscle awakening, weight-distribution, overload, modifications for injuries and students with limited range of movement in Yoga are all explored and discussed. The Anatomy and Physiology module also incorporates the basic understanding and application of bandhas. The Yoga is mainly concerned with the mula, udyana and jalandara bandha and how those 3 related to prana circulation, physical stability, mental centering, health improvement. Some attention is given to the chakra system and its illumination when applying them.

Learning Objective

The basic general understanding of functional anatomy and how that applies to the practice and teaching of Hatha Yoga.

Yoga Philosophy, Ethics and Yogic Lifestyle - 30 hours

This module include an introduction to understanding of Yogic roots and timeline, principles, Yoga specifics, and healthy student-teacher relationships. We will cover topics like Origin of Yoga and its tradition, types of Yoga (Bhakti, Karma, Raja), Introduction to Ayurveda (students will learn what is they own dosha), Introduction to great sage Patanjali and 8 limbs of Ashtanga, The Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata.

Practice Teaching - 25 hours

This is to put the Teaching Methodology (TM) information covered in the TT to practice in simulated live-class situations. Active-learning, performance-based, learner-oriented activities. The trainees will be practicing teaching daily, in small modules of 2-3 asanas at a time. The main part of "practice teaching" is done in a group learning situation, where all trainees are seated in a circle around the room, with the trainer and all trainees watching the "teacher" teach 3 mock students, then everyone takes their turn being the "teacher", and receive feedback from the trainer. This activity has proven to be highly successful in helping trainees develop real-life teaching skills and be GOOD at teaching already half-way through the 1-month training. Gradually over the course of the training, they will have practiced teaching the entire sequence of the 60-90 minute class. We also incorporate Q&A and discussion, and voice drills (tonality development), as needed.

Learning Objective

Develop a skill set required to teach a multi-level, group Yoga class in a safe, professional and beneficial way. Understand and apply the principles for successful communication, pacing, applying modifications for students with injuries, while keeping the flow of the class, basic verbal alignment corrections and offering encouragement. Learning to deliver not only instructions, but also additional information related to Yoga history, philosophy, conscious lifestyle.

Yoga Asana practice - 25 hours

Yoga group classes, 60-90 minutes. Those classes are done in a dedicated TT room. Practicing in class led by the other Faculty teacher, rather than the Lead Trainer enables the trainees to experience a different teaching personality and delivery.

Learning Objective

Fitness, stamina, and health development. Yogic transformation. Understanding of the dynamics of Yoga practice, led in English language.

Yoga Anatomy and Physiology - 25 hours

Specifics of physiology of the human body in daily Yoga situations. Great detail is given to asana modifications, in order to accommodate students with injuries, limitations, and / or pregnancy, as well as brand new beginners. Beginning with understanding the basics of how the body works. Covering all the major systems of the human body: nervous, skeletal, muscular, cardio-vascular and the respiratory systems. Develop the ability to discuss the functional anatomy and physiology of the body. Investigate the body with the help of models in terms of joint complexes, opposing muscle groups and joint movement.

Learning Objective

Learn safe and healthy positioning for beginners. Learn to use key modifications for all Yoga exercises taught.